Today, Ostreicher is in a Santa Cruz hospital after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, but remains in Bolivian police custody. Bolivian authorities said that Bolivian law allows for the incarceration of people without charge for up to 18 months.

Ostreicher has been in prison for 545 days and at his most recent hearing, on Aug. 30, a judge denied his request to be released on bail, according to his website.

The Ostreichers have five children and 11 grandchildren. Miriam Ungar said the little ones don't understand what happened to their grandfather.

On the wall in the dining area near his cell, Ostreicher's fellow prisoners had painted an American flag for him to bring him comfort, but it has since been painted over.

"Nightline" anchor Terry Moran and The Associated Press contributed to this report